There were few houses in the area before the completion of the canal. An ancient stone cross once stood at Trubshaw Cross, at the northern end of Longport (now a roundabout at the junction of Newcastle Street and Davenport Street). In 1777, the
Trent and Mersey Canal was completed and the area acquired the name
Longport. Henshall managed the main wharf at Longport, on the opening of the canal, and built the Pack Horse Inn in around 1780, which provided accommodation for boatmen and their horses.
Pottery works John Brindley, younger brother of James Brindley, established the first pottery factory here in 1773 and other businessmen built pottery factories soon afterwards.
John Davenport acquired John Brindley's factory in 1794, and other pottery factories, and the works were enlarged. The building was demolished in the 1880s. The master potter's house of Davenport's Bottom Bridge Pottery later became the Duke of Bridgewater pub, named after
Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, for whom canals were constructed by James Brindley.
Partial demolition In November 2019, the Price and Kensington Teapot Works in Longport was demolished partially by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, after surveys revealed parts of the structure were at risk of collapse. The derelict building had been on
Historic England's
Heritage at Risk register. Councillor Daniel Jellyman said "... it is with deep regret that this privately-owned building has fallen into such poor condition... [A] part of the building is in an unsafe and dangerous condition, leaving the city council with no option but to take steps to ensure that the public are not exposed to harm." The Grade II* listed building, a former pottery works, is mostly of the early 19th century. ==Transport==